Founder&#39;s molding equipment



March 22, 1960 v, MURPHY ETAL I 2,929,118

FOUNDERS MOLDING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 7, 1955 bvvmons Oscar V Murphy Bernard 6'. Wizte Pawn 7- 7 FIG: 5

FIG 2 March 22, 1960 0, v, MURPHY ETAL 2,929,118

FOUNDERS MOLDING EQUIPMENT Filed Nov. 7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 7 Oscar V Murphy Bernard G. Wizfe ATTORNEY March 22, 1960 o. v. MURPHY ET AL 2,929,118

FOUNDERS MOLDING EQUIPMENT Filed Nov. 7, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 10

m 0 T y E Mm P U M V m w Bernard G. Wz'zze a BY FIG. ll

ATTORNEY rounnans MQLDING EQUIPMENT Oscar V. Murphy and Bernard G. Witte, Newaygo, Mich, assignors to Newaygo Engineering Qompany, Newaygo, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application November 7, 1955, Serial No. 545,212

Claims. (Ci. 22--9) This invention relates to founders molding equipment for use in making sand molds'in which metal castings are formed.

The conventional procedure in forming a sand mold ,press the sand in the mold. Squeezing pushes the squeeze board partly into the cope and the mold board partly into the drag. The squeeze board is then removed. The pattern plate is also removed by temporarily lifting the cope. After this, the flask is removed from the mold and the mold conveyed to the pouring station. In this operation, the bottom board or mold board remains with the mold during the entire casting operation. Since the usual pouring operation in a foundry involves numerous molds, the requirement for a bottom board or mold board for each mold is an expensive and costly item.

Recently, an invention was conceived whereby the necessity for numerous bottom or mold boards is eliminated. In accordance with that invention, which is described and set forth in patent application Serial No. 398,588, filed December 16, 1953, now Patent No. 2,799,064, issued July 16, 1957 and entitled Founders Mold Board, an upset frame is provided having substantially the same shape as the drag flask. This upset frame provides a space between the mold board and the drag. Thus, in the application of pressureto the squeeze board, the mold board is not pushed into the drag but is pushed partly into the upset frame. Means isprovided on the mold board for supporting the upset frame. Upon application of pressure to the squeeze board, the support means yields and the mold board. is pushed partly into the upset frame. The upset frame may then be stripped from the mold by pushing it down upon the supporting table. This apparatus permits the flask with the mold therein to be easily removed and separated from the mold board without affecting the mold. The flask and mold is then placed on a conveyer, the flask removed, and the mold conveyed to a pouring station. Thus, the requirement for numerous mold boards has been eliminated.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved foundry mold equipment of the type described in Patent Application Serial No. 398,588.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved yieldable means on the mold board for supporting the upset frame.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism which will prevent the upset frame from prematurely separating from the flask and falling onto the support table.

Thereafter, the cope is filled ZSZMEQ Patented Mar. 22, 196%) ine Another object of this invention is to provide a releasable locking means for securing the upset frame to the drag flask until the sand has been completely compressed.

Other objects of this invention will become obvious to one skilled in the foundry art upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an exploded oblique view of the foundry equipment including the molders flask, the upset frame and the mold board in disassembled relation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevational view taken along a plane through the releasable locking means for locking the upset frame to the drag.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevational view of a modified releasable locking means.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevational view of another modified form of releasable locking means for the upset frame and drag.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevational view of the mold board showing the hinged supporting member in supporting position.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, elevational view of the mold board showing the hinged supporting member in released position.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front view of the hinged supporting member.

Fig. 8 is a sectional, elevational view of the flask and upset frame showing the mold board in its initial position.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational View of the equipment with the upset frame disengaged from'the drag of the flask.

Briefly, this invention is concerned with an improved mold board and upset frame for use in conjunction with a flask for forming sand molds. In accordance with this invention, an improved hinged supporting means is provided on the mold board for supporting the upset frame. This hinged supporting means includes a resiliently biased catch member bearing against a hinged stop member with sufiicient bearing force to support the upset frame. However, when pressure is applied to the upset frame, the biased catch member yields, permitting the mold board to be pushed into the upset frame. In addition to the support means there is also provided a releasable locking means for locking the upset frame to the flask. Thus, the upset frame does not separate prematurely from the flask. The upset frame is separated from the flask by manual force exerted on the frame itself. 'In one modification the locking means has to be positively released. This entire arrangement permits the flask with the mold therein to be removed from the mold board without adverseiy affecting the mold. It eliminates the need'for a mold board for each mold.

Referring to the drawings reference numeral Iii indicates a cope of the flask and reference numeral 20 is the drag. The cope and the drag are in. the nature of open frames having substantially the same size and shape and placed one upon the other. 'The cope 10 is the uppermost in the finished mold (Fig. 10). The upset frame St} is adapted to be placed on top of the drag 20 (Fig. 8) and releasably secured thereto by means of a releasable locking mechanism 70 (Fig. 2). The mold board as has feet 41. the opening through the upset frame and therefore it is adapted to pass through the upset frame. The hinged supporting assemblies or mechanisms are mounted in the-ends of the board 40. They are adapted to support the upset frame 30 together with some of the weight of the mold and flaskbefore pressure is applied 'to'the squeeze board (Fig. 9). a

It is of a size slightly smaller than the sand from squeezing out of the space or opening left by the frame 30 (Fig. 11). This locking means 70 also serves to guide the upset frame 30 onto the marginal edges of the drag 20. Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show several modifications of such locking and guide assemblies.

'Fig. 2 shows the assembly 70 including the elongated plate 71 secured at one end by screws 72 to the outer sides of the upset frame 30. The other end has an indent '73 extending beyond the edge of the frame 30 and adapted to receive the rounded keeper bar 74. The keeper bar 74 is secured to the drag 20, by screws 81. The keeper bar is located adjacent the bottom edge of the drag and opposite the plate 71. The plate 71 at its extreme end is rounded to provide a cam surface 75 to facilitate its engagement with the keeper bar 74 when the upset frame and drag 20 are assembled. The indent 73 clamps about the keeper bar 74. The clamping pressure exerted by the plate against the keeper bar must be sufficient to positively secure the upset frame to the drag flask.

Fig. 3 shows a modified form of the locking assembly designed specifically for use with metal flasks. It includes the modified assembly 70a having the plate 71a, secured to the upset frame by screws 72b. In this modification, the configuration of the lower edge of drag 20 is different from that shown in Fig. 2. It has a flange 21 on its marginal edge which abuts the upset frame 30. In this case the elongated indent 73a is formed in strip 71a to latch over the flange 21. The metal strip 71a also has a camming finger 75a on which the bottom edge of the flange rides-before it enters into the indent 73a of the strip. The finger 75a also serves as a handle by which the plate 71a may be manually disengaged from the flask 29a.

Fig. 4 shows still another modification of the locking and guiding assembly. It shows the assembly 7012 which is adapted to be utilized on the same type of flanged drag 20a, as that shown in Fig. 3. A plate 76 is secured rigidly to the upset frame 30. The plate 76 extends laterally from. the upset frame 30 and has ears 82 on which is rotatably mounted the hooked lever 71b. The hooked lever 71b is biased into locked position by the spring 77 having one end seated in the hole 78 of the plate 76. The other end of spring 77 bears against the underside of the thumb end 79. It biases the thumb end 79 upwardly causing the head 80 to hook about the flange 21. The assembly 70b provides a more positive locking means which can be released only by positively depressing the thumb end 79.

The yieldable support means 60 for supporting the upset frame 39 is shown in detail in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. This assembly includes a U-shapcd housing 61 of the same size and shape as the recess 63 in the marginal end of the mold board 40. The U-shaped housing is secured in the recess 63 by the support plate 64 which is inset in the top surface of the mold board and secured to it by screws 65. The housing 61 is fastened to the plate 64 by the screws 66 extending through the plate 64 and threaded into the sides 62 of the housing. It will be recognized that the housing 61 and the plate 64 may be cast as an integral unit.

The support leaf or leg 67 is pivotally secured between the sides 62 by a shaft '68 extending through the inner end of the leaf and into each side 62 (Fig. 7). The support leaf 67 has a flat surface extending beyond the edge of the plate 64 and the mold board 40. It is somewhat V-shaped at the bottom portion thereby providing an inclined surface 69 which permits the leaf to pivot downwardly (Fig. 6). The support leaf 67 is of a slightly lesser width than the spacing between the sides 62 of the U-shaped'housing 61. Thus, narrow spaces are provided between the sides of the leaf 67 andthe sides 62.

, outwardly from the wall 62, by the spring 92. The ball and spring are housed in a cylindrical housing 93 mounted in holes or openings through the side walls 62. The balls 92 extend into the housing a distance greater than the space between the wall 62 and the side of the leaf 67. Thus, it normally prevents the leaf 67 from being pivoted downwardly. The bias of the spring 92 is sufficient to support the weight of the upset frame together with a portion of the combined weight of the mold and flask. But, when squeezing pressure is applied to the mold, the bias of spring 92 is overcome resulting in the balls being pushed into the housings 93 against the bias of springs 92. Thus, the leaves pivot downwardly (Fig. 6).

Operation The molding operation with this equipment is similar to that described in the cop'ending application Serial No. 398,588, filed December 16, 1953 and entitled Founders Mold Board. First, the match plate 2, which has a pattern on both its upper and lower surfaces, is located between the cope 10 and the drag 20 with the drag 20 uppermost (Fig. 8). The upset frame 36 is placed upon the inverted bottom edge of the drag 20. In placing the upset frame 30 on the drag 20 the locking and alignment assembly 70 helps to align the upset frame properly with the top edge of the drag. After aligning the upset frame 30 with the drag 20, downward force is exerted on the upset frame causing the plate 71 to latch over the rounded bar 74. This temporarily locks the upset frame 30 on the drag 2-6 and holds the two in proper alignment.

The drag 20 is then filled with sand and jolted and the sand struck off flush with the top of the upset frame 30. At this point in the molding operation, the mold board 40 is placed on the sand above the upset frame 30 as shown in Fig. 8. The board 40 lies flat on the sand supported by the support leaves 67.

The next operation is to roll the flask over to the position shown in Fig. 9. In this position the feet 41 of the mold board 40 rest directly on the support table 1. The cope 10 which is now uppermost, is filled with sand above the match plate 2. The entire unit is jolted and the sand struck off flush with the top of the cope 10. In this position, the feet 41 of the mold board 40 rest directly on the table 1 and the support leaves or legs 67 support the upset frame 30 together with a portion of the sand, flask and match plate. The mold board is prevented from telescoping into the sand mold by the support leaves 67. The support leaves are located on each side to balance the support for the flask and mold. Thus, premature, uneven pressure on the sand mold is prevented.

It is important in forming the mold that even and uniform pressure be exerted on the sand in compressing it to form the mold. This even and uniform pressure is accomplished by the squeeze board 59 which is placed on the sand within the area defined by the opening of the cope 10. Pressure is applied to the squeeze board 50 in such a manner that an even and uniform pressure is exerted on the sand. This squeezing pushes the squeeze board 50 partly into the cope 10 as the sand in the cope is compressed. It also compresses the sand in the drag 20 and upset frame 30 causing the mold board 40 to be pushed partly into the upset frame 30. In this operation the pressure exerted on the squeeze board 50 creates a force on the support leaves 67 suflicient to overcome the detent catches 90. This pressure causes the sides of the leaves 67 to cam over the balls 91 pushing them inwardly.

The catch and leaves 67 can be designed to support the frame 30 even after the sides of the leaves 67 cam over the balls 91. This can be accomplished by slanting the sides toward each other so that the bearing pressures against the balls 91 increase as the frame 30 is pushed downwardly over the board '40. A frictional bearing pressure can also be provided between the sides of the leaf 67 and the balls 91 that will help to prevent the upset frame 30 from prematurely falling onto the table 1 and leaving a space (Fig. 11) between the mold board 40 and the drag 20 through which the sand would be squeezed. It is important to prevent the formation of such a space in order to obtain a sufiiciently compacted sand mold. If such a space is prematurely formed before the compacting of the sand is completed, sand will be squeezed through this space rather than being compressed. Any squeezing of the sand between the frame 30 and the flask ruins the mold.

The locking mechanism 70 primarily prevents this premature separation of the frame 30 from the drag 2%. In the preferred form, such locking mechanism is suflicient to bear the entire weight of the frame, thus eliminating the need for designing the catch 60 so that it will prevent the premature separation of frame from the flask. it is conceivable, however, that it may be desirable to eliminate the locking means 70 and hold the frame tightly against the flask by the support mechanism 60.

After the sand has been entirely compacted, the upset frame is pushed down upon the table 1 by means of the handle 31. Sufllcient pressure exerted on the handle 31 causes the locking means 70 to release as previously explained. In the modification shown in Fig. 4, positive release is required. This is accomplished by depressing the thumb end 79, causing the head 80 to disengage the flange 21.

Downward stripping of the upset frame from the mold leaves the sand mold surrounded by the flask resetting upon the mold board 40 with the bottom edges free. The flask with the mold therein is removed from the mold board and placed on a conveyor. The flask is then stripped from the mold and the mold conveyed to the pouring station. Since the mold is separated from the mold board previous to pouring, the mold board is immediately available for forming another mold. Consequently, the large number of mold boards previously used are completely eliminated.

It will be seen that this invention provides an improved mold board for use with an upset frame. This combination, mold board and upset frame, works more effectively in forming perfect molds. It positively prevents the squeezing of the sand out of the side of the flask, thus positively preventing the ruining of the mold by such fault. This preventing of the sand from squeezing out the side of the flask is accomplished by releasing securing the upset frame to the drag so that the upset frame will not prematurely fall on the support table unless the locking means is released. The leaf support on the mold board also helps to prevent the premature separation of the upset frame from the flask.

The leaf support assembly 60 serves the important function of adequately supporting the upset frame 30 before squeezing pressure is applied. This leaf support assembly also eliminates any binding between the upset frame 30 and the support mechanism 60.

With the device described in co-pending application Serial No. 398,588, now US. Patent No. 2,799,064, granted July 16, 1957, the positively biased hinge leaf gouged into the upset frame causing the two members to be stuck together. Although separating the two members takes only a short time, the time required holds up the entire operation and greatly reduces the efliciency of the worker. The catch of this invention yieldably prevents the leaf from being pivoted downwardly but once it is overcome there is no biasing force tending to pivot the leaf upwardly and outwardly into the mold board. Thus, no binding force between the leaf and the upset frame 30 is created. The detent catch, when the leaf 67 is once pivoted downwardly, holds the leaf in that downward position free from the frame 30 (Fig. 11).

The support assembly 60 being located below the top surface of the mold board 40 is largely protected from sand. The plate 64 covers the recess in which the assembly 60 is mounted. Thus, another disadvantage of similar type apparatus is eliminated.

It should be understood that in describing this invention certain details have been explained which are not an important part of this invention. Different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, this invention should be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a combination mold board and upset frame, said mold board being adapted to pass through said upset frame, the improvement comprising: support elements on at least two margins of said mold board; each of said support elements having a hinged stop adapted to project outwardly from said mold board; said stop having sides extending downwardly; and resiliently biased catch' means bearing against said sides with suflicient bearing force whereby said stop is adapted to support said upset frame.

2. In a combination mold board and upset frame, said mold board being adapted to pass through said upset frame, the improvement comprising: support elements on at least two margins of said mold board; each of said support elements having a hinged stop adapted to project outwardly from said mold board; said stop having sides extending downwardly; and resiliently biasedball detent means bearing against said sides with sufficient bearing force whereby said stop is adapted to sup port said upset frame. i I

3. In a combination mold board and upset frame, said mold board being adapted to pass through said upset frame, the improvement comprising: recesses in at least two margins of said mold board; housings mounted in said recesses; said housing having sides; stop means hingedly mounted in each of said housings between said sides; and resiliently biased catch means projecting from said sides into said housing and bearing against said stop means with sufficient bearing force whereby said stop means is adapted to support said upset frame.

4. In a combination mold board and upset frame, said mold board being adapted to pass through said upset frame, the improvement comprising: recesses in at least two margins of said mold board; housings mounted in said recesses; said housing having sides; stop means hingedly mounted in each of said housings between said sides; and resiliently biased ball detent means projecting from said sides into said housing and bearing against said stop means with sufficient bearing force whereby said stop means is adapted to support said upset frame.

5. The combination with a molders flask of an upset frame removably located against an edge of the flask, of a mold board of a size that will pass through said upset frame; support elements on at least two margins of said mold board; each of said support elements having a hinged stop adapted to project outwardly from said mold board; and resiliently biased catch means bearing against said hinged stop with suflicient bearing force whereby said stop is adapted to support said upset frame;

and releasable locking means on at least two complementary margins of said upset frame and said flask.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

